Russia is reportedly pressuring thousands of migrants and foreign students to join its military forces in the ongoing war against Ukraine. According to Bloomberg, visa renewals are being used as leverage to compel enlistment.
European officials have accused the Kremlin of adopting recruitment tactics reminiscent of those used by the Wagner mercenary group. These tactics include threats of visa denial to African students and young workers unless they agree to military service, as stated by sources close to the matter.
The situation has escalated with Moscow’s recruitment of convicts from Russian prisons. Reports suggest that some African workers have faced detention and were given a stark choice: deportation or military service. An anonymous European official revealed that some individuals have resorted to bribing their way out of this predicament.
Despite these claims, the Russian Foreign Ministry has remained silent, offering no comments.
The recruitment drive appears to be part of a larger global campaign by Russia, targeting foreign mercenaries from at least 21 countries, including several African nations. The campaign promises significant signing bonuses and salaries to contract soldiers. Migrants and students seeking employment in Russia have been particularly targeted, with some allegedly being deceived with false promises of lucrative work, only to be forced into military training and deployment.
As the war continues, Russia’s ability to mobilize a large number of troops could prove pivotal. President Vladimir Putin is reportedly seeking to capitalize on a shift in momentum this year. Despite this, Russian forces have experienced slow progress in northeastern Ukraine and have sustained heavy losses.
The UK Ministry of Defence reports that the Russian military suffered over 1,200 casualties daily in May, marking the highest casualty rate since the war’s inception. An estimated 500,000 personnel have been killed or wounded since the invasion began, although these figures have not been independently verified by Bloomberg.
In a recent meeting with foreign media, President Putin suggested that Russian troop casualties amount to approximately 10,000 per month, asserting that Ukrainian losses are significantly higher. Despite lacking major battlefield advancements, Russia has intensified its bombing campaign against Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, in what Western officials believe is an attempt to render the city uninhabitable.
Facing challenges in garnering public support, Putin has avoided a full-scale mobilization, opting instead for voluntary recruitment drives that have attracted tens of thousands.
In a related development, the government of Kathmandu acknowledged the recruitment of around 400 young Nepali men by Russia, with the actual number likely higher due to unofficial enlistments. This follows India’s cessation of Nepalese Gurkha recruitment for its army, potentially driving Nepalis towards Russian opportunities.
A senior Ukrainian official noted an uptick in foreign fighters among captured prisoners, with Africans and Nepalis being notably prevalent. Ukraine’s allies are considering disclosing this information to the respective countries.
As the G7 nations prepare for a summit in Italy, efforts are underway to encourage Global South countries to support Ukraine more actively. Despite these efforts, many nations have maintained neutrality, even as their populations are targeted by Russian disinformation campaigns.
Reuters reported last year that the Wagner group had recruited several African citizens, including individuals from Tanzania, Zambia, and the Ivory Coast, to fight in Ukraine. This recruitment is said to extend to Russian prison convicts.
Yevgeny Primakov, head of Rossotrudnichestvo, highlighted the presence of 35,000-37,000 African students in Russia, with approximately 6,500 enrolling annually for free education, as stated during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
